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RTK, Pristina
27 03 2006 Another episode of Life in Kosovo, a televised debate organized by BIRN,
hosted by BIRN Kosovo Director Jeta Xharra and broadcasted on RTK, was shown
27 March.
Involving more than 20 artists, the debate tackled issues facing Kosovo's
filmmakers. It proved to be one of the show's best episodes.
The debate was praised for its quality in covering the problems overwhelming
Kosovo's film industry.
The panelists included well-known directors such as Ekrem Kryeziu and Fadil
Hysaj.
Other panelists were Veli Bytyci, spokesperson for the Ministry of
Culture, Blerim Gjocaj, head of the Film Actors Union, and Milazim Salihu,
head of the ABC Cinema and film Distribution Company.
The debate opened with the issue of mismanaged funds in the Ministry of
Culture, and its small budget for film. The discussion led to the new Kosovo
Cinematography Centre, which has been dormant while the ministry waits to
choose its director. The delay has caused a stir in Kosovo's filmmaking
circles.
Prominent filmmaker Fadil Hysaj asked why choosing a new director was causing
such a problem.
"We know there's political pressure in the process," said Hysaj.
"It's a result of corruption.
Cinematography involves a lot of money.
Of course certain groups are interested in it".
Bytyci, the ministry's spokesperson, denied rumors that the job announcement
was cancelled and said a director would be chosen soon.
But the main problem throughout the debate remained the small amount of
funds the ministry dedicated to filmmaking and the unfair distribution of
those funds. Many filmmakers and actors voiced concern over who distributes
the funds and how they are given to certain filmmakers and films.
During their research, BIRN reporters came across a document that claims
the ministry gave money to a film company that did not fully deserve it.
Bytyci strongly denied the allegation, saying it was untrue.
But artists and film-makers in the public also had something to add to this
issue.
Burbuqe Berisha, a young filmmaker, asked why the Ministry gave 700 000
euros to an 80-year-old Albanian director to make a film, thus disregarding
Kosovo's own young filmmakers.
Halil Budakova, another director, asked why the ministry funded the award-winning
film of Isa Qosja, 'Kukumi'. "It is time to give us a chance as well,
and not always fund the same old directors," said Budakova.
Budakova, the director of three films that gained a substantial audience,
but were not well-received by art critics, said viewership should be one
of the main criteria to receive ministry funds.
Ekrem Kryeziu, another famous filmmaker, said that despite personal opinions
on Qosja's film, the film received many awards and took part in many international
festivals, including the Sarajevo Film Festival, and thus represents one
of Kosovo's few cinematographic treasures.
Milazim Salihu, of the ABC Cinema, also commented on the small number of
visitors to Kosovo's cinemas. She he called for measures to attract more
viewers.
On another note, besides the obvious split between the ministry and the
filmmaking community, fractures within the community itself surfaced, becoming
more visible than ever.
Although artist associations exist in Kosovo, such as the Union of Film
Artists, many artists there remain unrepresented.
While Armond Morina, an actor, asked Bytyci why there wasn't a representative
of this association in the ministry to take part in decision-making regarding
films, other artists asked why they were not notified of the existence of
the Artists' Union in the first place.
Morina emphasized the importance of these associations, inviting all artist
to come. "We artists have to come together and create one voice, to
protect our rights," he said.
Hysaj agreed with Morina's sentiment, saying the ministry had to recognize
one representative of Kosovo's artists.
"Artists have to be well-represented by one group," said Hysaj.
"Otherwise they can be cornered into becoming parts of different clans."
At the end of the debate, Bytyci said the ministry from now on was going
to fund only as much as 50 percent of film costs. Artists should seek other
funding instead of relying entirely on public funds.
To conclude the debate, Fadil Hysaj again highlighted the importance of
quality film in Kosovo.
"Kosovo needs real cinematography, not a few films a year," said
Hysaj. "It has to profile like Bosnia did."
At the beginning of 2010 BIRN network published Digging Deeper - A Guide for Investigative Journalists in the Balkans, written in cooperation with Sheila Coronel, Director of the Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism and professor of professional practice at Columbia University, New York.
